Tuesday, March 13, 2018

FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION - MARCH 12TH, 2018

            On March 12, 2018 at approximately 1:05 p.m. members of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office Patrol Bureau and Crash Reconstruction Team were dispatched to Solomons Island Rd (MD 2) and C. Jones Rd for a Vehicle Collision.  The preliminary investigation of the collision revealed a 2008 Ford Ranger was stopped in the northbound lane of MD 2 waiting to make a left turn onto C. Jones Rd.   Richard Williams, 61 year old of Sunderland, MD, was identified as the driver of the Ford.  A 2016 Lexus E300 was stopped in the northbound lane of MD 2 behind the Ford.   Joan Kocen, 69 year old of Solomons, MD was the driver of the Lexus.  Elliot Kocen, 82 year old of Solomons, MD, was a passenger in the Lexus.   A 1999 Mack Dump Truck, fully loaded with gravel, was traveling northbound on MD 2.  Tristan Matteson, 21 of Prince Frederick, MD, was driving the Mack.   A 2016 International Stake Body Truck was traveling southbound on MD 2.   Jerone Harper, 26 of Laurel, MD, was the driver of the International.  As the Mack approached the intersection of C. Jones Rd Matteson advised he observed the vehicles ahead stopped in the traffic lane.  He attempted to swerve around the vehicles. This attempt was unsuccessful and the Mack struck the rear passenger side of the Lexus.  The collision pushed the Lexus forward and to the left.  The Lexus clipped the rear of the Ford and continued traveling into the southbound lane of MD 2.  The Lexus was then struck by the International as it was traveling southbound on MD 2.
            Joan Kocen was transported to Calvert Hospital where she died due to her injuries from the collision. Elliot Kocen was pronounced deceased on the scene. All other drivers involved in the crash refused medical treatment.  Preliminary Investigation shows that Matteson’s Failure to Control Speed to Avoid a Collision contributed to this crash. 
            The collision is under investigation by Sgt. T. Phelps of the Crash Reconstruction Team.  Anyone with additional information regarding the collision is asked to contact the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office at 410-535-2800 or e-mail the investigator at thomas.phelps@calvertcountymd.gov .